abazinit

Abazinit is a rare mineral composed primarily of aluminum, zinc, and oxygen, with the chemical formula ZnAl2O4. It is a member of the spinel group of minerals, known for their hardness and often vibrant colors. Abazinit typically occurs as small, euhedral to subhedral crystals. The mineral is usually colorless, white, or pale yellow, though impurities can sometimes lend it a faint pink or greenish hue.

This mineral was first discovered in the Abazinsk deposit in the Caucasus Mountains, from which it derives its name. It is found in association with other oxide minerals, often in metamorphosed carbonate rocks or pegmatites. The formation conditions for abazinit typically involve high-temperature, low-pressure environments. While it is not a commercially significant mineral, abazinit is of interest to mineralogists and geologists for its occurrence and crystallographic properties. Its rarity makes well-formed specimens highly sought after by collectors.